Cities worldwide hold subdued Christmas Eve celebrations amid conflicts

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve on Tuesday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza.

The cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found. The festive lights and giant tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the throngs of foreign tourists.

Palestinian scouts marched silently through the streets, a departure from their usual raucous brass marching band. Security forces arranged barriers near the Church of the Nativity, built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. A young boy stood holding a pile of balloons for sale, but gave up because there were no customers to buy them.

The cancellation of Christmas festivities is a severe blow to the town's economy. Tourism accounts for an estimated 70% of Bethlehem’s income — almost all from the Christmas season. The number of visitors to Bethlehem plunged from a pre-COVID high of around 2 million per year in 2019 to fewer than 100,000 in 2024, said Jiries Qumsiyeh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Tourism Ministry.

A surge of violence in the West Bank, where more than 800 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire and dozens of Israelis have been killed in militant attacks, has greatly stalled tourism. Palestinian officials do not provide a breakdown of how many of the deceased are civilians and how many are fighters.

Since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that sparked the war, access to and from Bethlehem and other towns in the West Bank has been limited, with long lines of motorists waiting to pass through Israeli military checkpoints. The restrictions have prevented some 150,000 Palestinians from leaving the territory to work in Israel, causing the Israeli economy to contract by 25%.

In the Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel, Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took more than 250 Israeli hostages. Israeli officials believe that around 100 hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip.

Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, noted the shuttered shops and empty streets and expressed hope that next year would be better.

“This has to be the last Christmas that is so sad,” he told hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square, where normally tens of thousands would congregate.

Pizzaballa held a special pre-Christmas Mass in the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City. Several Palestinian Christians told the Associated Press that they had been displaced in the church since the war began in October of last year with barely enough food and water.

“We hope by next year at the same day we’d be able to celebrate Christmas at our homes and go to Bethlehem,” said Najla Tarazi, a displaced woman who prayed for the war to end. “We don’t feel happy.”

Bethlehem is an important center in the history of Christianity, but Christians make up only a small percentage of the roughly 14 million residents spread across the Holy Land. There are about 182,000 in Israel, 50,000 in the West Bank and Jerusalem and 1,300 in Gaza, according to the U.S. State Department.

Elsewhere, worshippers found connection despite difficult times.

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris celebrated its first Christmas Eve Masses since a devastating fire ravaged the medieval landmark in 2019.

About 2,000 people joined an afternoon Mass — one of four held on Tuesday — including worshippers and other visitors marveling at the restoration of the recently reopened cathedral. Some American tourists in Paris crafted their trip to ensure they could attend Christmas Eve services at Notre Dame.

“They did such an amazing job,” said visitor Aly Beinert. “It looks beautiful. It blew us away."

The Paris Archbishop symbolically reopened Notre Dame’s grand wooden doors on Dec. 7 with three resounding knocks, with guests including President-elect Donald Trump, U.S. first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In Saydnaya, Syria, a large crowd gathered near a historic monastery on Christmas Eve to witness the lighting of a towering tree adorned with glowing green lights.

The celebration offered a rare moment of joy in a city scarred by over a decade of war and its infamous prison, where tens of thousands were held. Families and friends stood by the illuminated tree — some wearing Santa hats, others watching from rooftops — while a band played festive music and fireworks lit up the sky.

“This year is different — there’s happiness, victory and a new birth for Syria and a new birth for Christ,” said Houssam Saadeh, one attendee. Another, Joseph Khabbaz, expressed hope for unity across all sects and religions in Syria, dismissing recent Christmas tree vandalism as “isolated incidents.”

At City Church in Madison, Wisconsin, lead pastor Tom Flaherty urged congregants at a candlelight Christmas Eve service to open their hearts to God’s grace.

“Happiness comes from what happens. Joy comes from a much deeper place, and it doesn’t matter what’s going on around you,” Flaherty said. “So number one, joy comes from God’s love, and forgiveness.”

Eight days earlier, there was a deadly shooting in the school on the church’s campus.

Over the weekend, the congregation hosted a funeral for Rubi Patricia Vergara, the 14-year-old freshman killed when another student opened fire. A teacher was also killed and several others injured before the shooter shot herself and later died at a hospital, police said.

American Airlines briefly grounded flights across the U.S. on Tuesday due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive. Winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive.

In Virginia, hundreds of sailors and their loved ones got an early Christmas present when the USS Cole docked at its home port in Norfolk after seven months at sea. Families bundled in coats and blankets, shed tears of gratitude and held signs bearing the sailors' names and photos.

Volunteers in Colorado Springs, Colorado, answered calls Tuesday from curious children inquiring about Santa's location. At least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command each year to track Santa's whereabouts. NORAD’s beloved Santa tracking tradition has endured since the Cold War, when a Colorado newspaper mistakenly printed a phone number for Santa that connected kids to the joint U.S. and Canadian defense command.

In the port of Barcelona, Spain, volunteers from the faith-based ministry Stella Maris visited seven ships docked there on Christmas Eve to deliver Nativity scenes and the local specialty of turrón (nougat candy) to seafarers.

The volunteers met seafarers from India, the Philippines, Turkey and elsewhere, said Ricard Rodríguez-Martos, a Catholic deacon and former merchant marine captain who leads Stella Maris in this major Mediterranean harbor.

A snowstorm in the Balkans stranded drivers and downed power lines Tuesday, but some saw the beauty in it.

“I’m actually glad it's falling,” said driver Mirsad Jasarevic in Zenica, Bosnia. “We did not have snow for Christmas for 17 years here, and now is the time for wonderful white Christmas.”

Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City, Wafaa Shurafa in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut, Jeffrey Schaeffer and Marine Lesprit in Paris, and Giovanna Dell’Orto in Minneapolis contributed to this report.

People queue to attend the mass at Notre Dame Cathedral as the monuments hosts Christmas Eve services for the first time since a devastating 2019 fire, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)

A woman prays by candles at Notre Dame Cathedral as the monument hosts Christmas Eve services for the first time since a devastating 2019 fire, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)

A detail of the nativity scene is seen at Notre Dame Cathedral as the monument hosts Christmas Eve services for the first time since a devastating 2019 fire, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)

Faithful sit before the mass at Notre Dame Cathedral as the monuments hosts Christmas Eve services for the first time since a devastating 2019 fire, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)

Fireworks burst over Saydnaya Convent during the lighting of the Christmas tree, in Saydnaya town on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Syrian citizens gather outside Saydnaya Convent during the lighting of the Christmas tree, in Saydnaya town on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Priest Abuna Mata gives the communion during the Christmas mass in the Greek Orthodox convent Saint Takla, in Maaloula, some 60 km northern Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

A nun attends the Christmas mass in the Greek Orthodox convent Saint Takla, in Maaloula, some 60 km northern Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Priests and clergy attend the Christmas celebration midnight Mass at the Cathedral-Basilica in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)

A woman wearing reindeer antlers watches the sun set from the Our Lady of the Hill viewpoint overlooking Lisbon, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A delivery rider cycles past Christmas decorations in Lisbon, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Priest Abuna Mata attends the Christmas mass in the Greek Orthodox convent Saint Takla, in Maaloula, some 60 km northern Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

People gather after attending a Christmas mass at the church of St. George, in Maaloula, some 60 km northern Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

People walks past a Christmas tree after attending a Christmas mass at the church of St. George, in Maaloula, some 60 km northern Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Pakistani Christians attend midnight Christmas Mass at St. Anthony's church in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

People pose for the photo next to Christmas decoration after attending a Christmas mass at the church of St. George, in Maaloula, some 60 km northern Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Priest Jalal Ghazal attends a Christmas mass at the church of St. George, in Maaloula, some 60 km northern Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Pakistani Christians attend midnight Christmas Mass at St. Anthony's church in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistani Christians attend midnight Christmas Mass at St. Anthony's church in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Catholic clergyman in the Holy Land, center, waves as he arrives at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, on Christmas Eve in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Murals cover Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Zane Castello, 6, whispers his Christmas wish to Santa Claus during the Winter Day Camp holiday party at the Greater Johnstown Community YMCA in Johnstown, Pa. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (Thomas Slusser/The Tribune-Democrat via AP)

Houses are seen along the mountain as a cross stands over the Greek Orthodox convent Saint Takla on Christmas Eve in Maaloula, some 60 km northern Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

A woman buys street food near the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, on Christmas Eve, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Scouts hold a sign that reads "We want life, not death" during the traditional Christian procession towards the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, on Christmas Eve, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Syrian Christians shout slogans in Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, as they march during a protest after a Christmas tree was set on fire in Hamah city on Sunday. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Syrian Christians carry crosses and shout slogans in Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, as they march during a protest after a Christmas tree was set on fire in Hamah city on Sunday. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

A woman looks at Syrian Christians carrying crosses and shouting slogans in Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, during a protest after a Christmas tree was set on fire in Hamah city on Sunday. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Syrian Christians carry crosses and shout slogans, as they march during a protest after a Christmas tree was set on fire in Hamah city on Sunday, in Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024.(AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, is received by local community while crossing an Israeli military checkpoint from Jerusalem for Christmas Eve celebrations at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally recognized by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Palestinian scouts carry posters, one reads "Peace for Gaza and its people," while they march during Christmas Eve celebrations at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally recognized by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

A Syrian Christian man holds up a cross and shouts slogans in Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, during a protest march after a Christmas tree was set on fire in Hamah city on Sunday. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Scouts line up during the traditional Christian procession towards the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, on Christmas Eve, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

People walk past a restaurant near the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, on Christmas Eve, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Nigerian worshippers pray in the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, on Christmas Eve, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Nigerian worshippers walk along the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, on Christmas Eve, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Palestinian police line up next to Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, on Christmas Eve, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Nuns walk along the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, on Christmas Eve, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — After following up their worst performance of the season against Tampa Bay by allowing an easy opening touchdown drive to Denver, even Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter found himself questioning the top unit in the NFL in points allowed.

But the defense got back on track to rally for a 34-27 win that puts the Chargers one victory away from clinching a AFC wild-card berth, a performance that has Minter seeing a group getting back to its best at the most important time of the season.

“I do think that momentum is real, and so to sort of feel us as a defensive unit get our momentum back, yeah, it’s huge,” Minter said Tuesday. “Hopefully it’s something we can carry into preparation this week, which I think the guys have.”

The Chargers (9-6) struggled early as the Broncos moved the ball 72 yards in 10 plays to get that first score. They forced one third down, a third-and-2 near midfield, and promptly gave up a 15-yard run.

Things didn’t seem any better as Los Angeles fell behind 21-10 midway through the second quarter, but Denver needed to convert a third-and-long on each of the next two touchdown drives. Getting into those situations represented progress to Minter.

“I felt like we started to play better even though they moved the ball,” he said. “We let them off the hook a couple times.”

The breakthrough came when Joey Bosa had a sack on third down to force Denver’s first punt. From that point on, the defense allowed six points.

“I think when you go through a season, you almost expect to have to win games in a lot of different ways,” Minter said. “It was the first time it was like where we started off, didn’t look great, and just kind of stayed with it, stuck with it.”

Outside linebacker Khalil Mack believed it was a matter of time before that first stop came.

“It was known that we were gonna bounce back and kind of get the rhythm going,” he said.

The turnaround came at the end of a six-game stretch where the Chargers faced teams all contending for or in a playoff spot. The defense gave up at least 27 points in four of those games; opponents hadn’t topped 20 through the first nine games of the season. Los Angeles went 3-3, beating Cincinnati, Atlanta and Denver and losing to Baltimore, Kansas City and the Buccaneers.

Still, the resolve on display versus the Broncos gives Minter confidence his group is ready for what comes next.

“I think we’ve learned a lot about ourselves over that stretch, and really look forward to trying to be at our best now,” Minter said. “It’s end of the season. You’re into, hopefully, December, January, February football where it’s just can you be at your best when your best is needed. So I look forward to attacking these last two regular-season games, and then hopefully more to follow."

The Chargers can clinch a playoff spot by beating New England (3-12) on Saturday, which would mean limiting rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

The third overall pick has Minter’s attention, particularly after Maye’s strong showing in a 24-21 loss to Buffalo on Sunday when he threw for 261 yards and two touchdowns.

“I think you see the talent,” Minter said. “I think he’s another one of these young quarterbacks that’s a playmaker. Has the ability to make plays inside the pocket, outside the pocket, can run, can scramble. They had a couple designed runs for him against Buffalo this week.”

Mack also expressed appreciation for what Maye has shown, but that doesn’t change his approach to the most important game yet for the Chargers.

“It’s a playoff game, no different than the last one, man,” Mack said. “By any means necessary. We got to do everything we can to win the game.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Denver Broncos running back Audric Estime (23) scores a rushing touchdown during the first half an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) slides after gaining yards during the first half an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)